One out of five people is affected by some type of disability. That has been translated to one in...

One out of five people is affected by some type of disability.

That has been translated to one in four church members.

One fourth of every congregation lives with some disabling condition.

Where are they? 

Disability and the Church

Historically, religious institutions were the first (and often only) providers of care for persons with disabilities.

—Avi Rose

History

Disability and Religious Life

Disability as a Sign of Punishment, Evil Incarnation, and Disease

Disability as a Challenge to Divine Perfection

Disability as an Object of Pity and Charity

Disability as Incompetence and Exemption from Religious Practice

Rose, 1997

Our current grasp of “integration” with regard to people with disabilities is comparable to how many of us understood race relations in the mid-1950s. We have assumed the task to be much easier than it is. We have not dug beneath the surface. Our greatest error may be in thinking that we already understand the problem and know how to fix it.

—Rhode Island and Massachusetts Council

of Churches

Where We Are Now

Within the UMCNational Task Force on Developmental

DisabilitiesAssociation of Physically Challenged

MinistersThe United Methodist Committee on

Ministries with Deaf, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind People

Disability Concerns (DISC)Individual Churches and Annual

Conferences

On PaperThe 2008 Book of Discipline, ¶ 162.I

Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesWe recognize and affirm the full

humanity and personhood of all individuals with mental, physical, developmental, neurological, and psychological conditions or disabilities as full members of the family of God. We also affirm their rightful place in both the church and society. We affirm…

On PaperThe 2008 Book of Discipline, ¶ 653

There shall be in each annual conference a committee on disability concerns or other structure to provide for the functions of this ministry and maintain the connectional relationships.1. The basic membership of the committee

shall be nominated and elected by established procedures of the respective annual conference…

On PaperThe 2008 Book of Discipline, ¶ 265.

Approved Sundays for Annual Conference Observance 4. Disability Awareness Sunday…

shall be observed annually on a date to be determined by the annual conference. Disability Awareness Sunday calls the Church to celebrate the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities…

On PaperGeneral Board of Global Ministries

Goal 1: Support the National Committee on Ministries with Deaf, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind People

Goal 2: Support the National Task force on Developmental Disabilities

In PracticeChurches

Speedway United Methodist – IndianaChurch of the Resurrection – KansasTrinity United Methodist – Florida

ProgramsJusta Center – Arizona SEMAR – Southeastern Jurisdiction

Annual ConferencesWho is your Disability Concerns

contact?Try calling your bishop’s office to find out

Models for Caring

Looking to the Future

Ministry Models

What We Have What We Need

Short-Term, Crisis-Oriented Ministry

Meal Prep and Delivery

Continuing, Long-Term Ministry

Respite Care

Religion, Disability, and Receptivity

Parts

Individual

Environment

Religious Organization

Individual

Motor

Cognition

Sensory

Physiology

Psychology

Spirituality

Environment

Social Policy Social

Support

Technology

Social Capital

Physical Environme

nt

Receptivity

Culture

Religious Organization

Technology

Social Policy

Social Capital

Physical Environment

Social Support

Receptivity

Culture

Social Policy

Social Support

Technology

Social Capital

Physical Environme

nt

Receptivity

Religion and Disability Receptivity Model

Culture